At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist families with information and guidance on childcare options and funding.
- Company: Join a supportive team at the Family Information Service in Chichester.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, a generous pension, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in families' lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 27254 - 28598 £ per year.
Due to internal promotion, we are now seeking to recruit a full-time Family Information Service Assistant.
Salary: NJC Grade 6 £27,254 to £28,598 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: 37 hours per week, full time, Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.00pm and Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm
Location: Northleigh, Chichester, with hybrid working (days in office are currently Tuesday and Wednesday)
Closing date: 15 September 2026
Interview date: 02 October 2026
Are you confident in providing excellent customer service and delivering information, advice and guidance? Are you empathetic and pro-active when dealing with sensitive issues or challenging situations? Do you enjoy interacting with a range of customers via phone and email, and helping families to provide the best start in life for their children? If you are looking for the next challenge in your career, find out more about this fantastic opportunity below.
The Family Information Service is working hard to meet growing demand as we roll out the government’s expansion of childcare. We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic individual who prides themselves on their customer service skills, to join us as a Family Information Service Assistant, helping to improve the lives of families across the county.
In this varied and rewarding role, you will use your excellent customer service skills to respond to day-to-day problems and complex queries from the public and partners. This is a hybrid role, with a mix of office and home-based working. You will need to be comfortable handling frequent phone calls and working at a desk for extended periods.
Key responsibilities of the role include:
- Triage incoming requests directly from families or providers and make an evaluation of next steps, assessing the correct course of action.
- Provide specialist advice on childcare options and funding entitlements.
- Accurately update systems and maintain high-quality records.
- Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns appropriately.
- Provide advice and guidance on complaints.
- Complete complex financial calculations, identifying any risk of irregularity and flagging it accordingly.
- Help broker childcare places for families facing challenges in accessing provision.
- Create engaging social media content to connect with families, share useful information and promote services.
If you are passionate about making a difference for families and thrive in a fast-paced, supportive environment, we’d love to hear from you.
About You
We are looking for:
- Superb relationship building with a range of customers and colleagues.
- Interpersonal and communication skills to provide clear and concise information, advice, and guidance.
- Use of own initiative to work independently with a commitment to supporting families.
- A professional approach, as at times you may deal with highly sensitive and confidential matters.
- A reliable, efficient, and flexible individual who enjoys being part of a team.
- Attention to detail.
- Being adept at using IT software confidently.
Please refer to the key skills in your cover letter as these will be used for shortlisting criteria.
Key Skills:
- Excellent communication skills in order to communicate technical/statutory information to customers in a way that is meaningful; interact effectively with a range of audiences, with the ability to present information verbally and in writing, which is clear, concise, accurate and impartial.
- Act as a point of specialist information, advice and guidance, responding sensitively to enquiries via telephone and email.
- Able to act with discretion when working with confidential and sensitive information.
- Good interpersonal and active listening skills with the ability to confidently build relationships and support families and childcare settings, understanding their needs, e.g. dealing with complex queries or family issues, and the ability to respond appropriately to challenging behaviour such as aggressive or distressed individuals, those presenting with mental health characteristics, vulnerability, and where English is not their first language.
- Ability to work as part of a team, completing shared tasks in order to deliver a service to others and meet set deadlines.
- Analytical and judgement skills in order to effectively assist with customer queries.
- Use initiative to find solutions and avoid complaints, but also to understand when problems need to be referred upwards, e.g. safeguarding queries or when issues need escalating.
- High level literacy and numeracy skills in order to understand complex information and carry out funding calculations.
- Proficient IT skills, using Microsoft Office Suite, in order to be able to use and accurately maintain the service’s computerised databases, online provider portal, photocopiers, scanners and the internet.
About Us
The Family Information Service (FIS) provides information, advice and guidance to parents and carers of 0-25-year-olds on Ofsted registered childcare, childcare funding, family activities and support services. We are a statutory service meeting duties within the Childcare Act 2006. Our service plays a key role for many families, especially working parents or those wishing to return to work or undertake training. In turn this supports a sustainable and prosperous economy across the county, enabling families to fulfil their potential.
To ensure this service functions well, the Family Information Service Assistant needs to be multiskilled to support a wide range of customers.
Benefits
As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance, and are rewarded for the work they do. Upon joining us you will have access to a range of benefits including the following:
- Employer Pension Contribution: 15% (this alters per annum on the 1 April each year)
- Annual leave: 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays = 33 days
Safeguarding statement
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to three years referencing, and an occupational health check. Equity, inclusion, and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact Natalie Greene, Recruitment Specialist.
Family Information Service Assistant in Chichester employer: EMEA3 Recruitment
Blick Rothenberg is an exceptional employer that prioritises your professional growth in a supportive, partner-led environment. With flexible working hours, comprehensive study support, and a commitment to delivering high-quality tax advice, you will thrive as part of a dynamic cross-border team while enjoying a competitive salary and extensive benefits.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Information Service Assistant in Chichester
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We think you need these skills to ace Family Information Service Assistant in Chichester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to EMEA3 Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to EMEA3 Recruitment! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at EMEA3 Recruitment
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
